Housing prices in Croatia are going absolutely bonkers! While the average net salary in Zagreb is about 1,000 euros, the price per square meter of new apartments is a staggering 3,000 euros, and on the most exclusive locations, it shoots over 4,000 euros! Affordable housing for young families? Forget about it. Prices have been skyrocketing relentlessly, and the government is scrambling to find solutions. The Ministry of Spatial Planning, Construction, and State Property is preparing a slew of new measures, including a program for affordable rental housing aimed at those who can’t get a mortgage. The state plans to take over management of private apartments and rent them out to young families at affordable rates, compensating landlords for the difference. Sounds like a lifeline, but will it be enough? Over the past three years, housing prices have increased by about 8% annually, with new construction prices rising even faster at 11%! Coastal areas are seeing even steeper hikes, while regions like Slavonia lag behind. In the first quarter of this year alone, prices jumped 13.1%, with new builds up 14.3%! Tax policies now differentiate between short-term and long-term rentals, as many apartments have been converted into tourist rentals, pushing long-term rental prices through the roof. In Zagreb, the number of registered rental contracts rose from 14,000 to 20,000 in just one year, offering a glimmer of hope for market stabilization. The government also plans to build new housing units, especially in rural areas, and is drafting a new affordable housing law to ease mortgage conditions. But will all this be enough to stop the housing madness? Meanwhile, prices keep climbing, and young people are left wondering where they’ll live. Got a clever hack or already snagged your dream apartment? Drop a comment below — let’s see who’s surviving this housing apocalypse!
